Ohhh- he is so itty bitty. For some reason the song, "He’s got the Whole World in His Hands" keeps playing through my mind as I look at these images. Mom and Dad so carefully holding and loving this little fella as his life is just beginning. It was even more beautiful being there then even these images can tell. Mom, so in love with Dad and baby and so in love with just becoming a mom. It took me back to my early days when it was just Jeff, Slaton and me. Those days were so sweet. everything was so new and wonderful and I can remember Slaton crying and my whole body aching to help him in any way I can.  It is the beauty and love  and  mostly magic of a first child. This little boy is blessed beyond belief to be born to these loving, gracious and precious parents. I felt honored to be a part of his beginning.

When little R.’s mommy called me to book her session, she asked me to "be sure you get a close up of R.’s eyes since they are two different colors."  Wow- I get that- I actually have two different color eyes. One of my eyes is blue and one is green. They are close enough in color that hardly anyone ever notices unless I am angry or I have been crying. So, basically, no one notices.

Little R.’s eyes are much more apparent. The moment the sunlight hit his eyes, they both glistened and you could clearly see the difference. One of them is much darker than the other one. They are so beautiful. How much fun to have a child that is so uniquely great!

Introducing baby C…. who is just about the cutest baby I have photographed in a while. Typically I photograph all babies within two weeks of when they arrive. However, due to unusual circumstances, baby C. was 6 weeks old for his session. One can never predict how a baby will act at any age but typically a 6 week old is sort of a gamble. The baby is sleeping far less and they are often moody about being touched and moved around a bunch. Not baby C. though. He was happy to do whatever we wanted him to and only at the end, when he clearly deserved some milk, was he a bit fussy.

This has to be the longest I have ever gone without posting! I kinda wondered if anyone had noticed and then today I got three e-mails from clients saying they miss me in the Blog world. Yeah- you noticed I have been gone. I am so sorry but hopefully you will understand once I explain the past two weeks.

Two weeks ago I left for a week long photography conference in Florida. It was beyond AMAZING! I was able to learn from some of my favorite mentors in the industry. We had seminars that lasted from eight to ten hours every day. I learned so much indoor lighting information from Jen Hillegna. Her work is amazing and she is worthy of all the praise she receives. She was kind enough to spend one of her evening photographing about 40 of the women at the conference. She did lots of boudoirs and head shots (just depending on what each person wanted). I LOVED the posing, lighting and the way she worked with each woman. I will tell you that my husband has a surprise coming his way sometime soon when he sees the images she took of me. Shhhh-

Then there was the amazing Sandy Puc. She shoots (get ready for this) TEN sessions a day, four days a week. WHAT!!!! She has grown her business to the point that most of what she does is photograph all day. She is a studio photographer and her work is beautiful. She specializes in maternity and babies and she was able to share posing tips with us. She also happens to be a marketing genius! So, she let us in on some of the ways she markets herself and her company.

Finally, I got to work with Doug Box. Doug has been in the photography business for over 35 years. He is a legend! I have heard him speak at other conventions before but this time I decided I wanted to know more. My room mate Edie and I asked Doug if he had any free time to work with us a bit. He was so generous and spent well over two hours with us! Doug is a master of understanding and creating light. As a photographer this is VERY important. In fact, this might be one of the most essential tools! I was so honored to learn from someone who is years ahead of me in his career and his understanding of photography. I was challenged and I grew!

Kudos to my husband who made it, solo, for a week. He was really ready for me to come home. I know that the kids were good but still it is lots of work. I come home excited and ready to up my game and bring you, my client, all sorts of great new information and products! I am always working on being the best I can be for you guys!

Well, you say, that only explains one week of being gone. As soon as I returned home I found my nanny very sick. She has had to be off this week to recover from her flu like symptoms. So, I have been getting coverage for my already booked sessions and playing stay-at-home mom for the rest of the time. I have to admit that I have enjoyed it. I am behind on some e-mails and phone calls but my kids are enjoying a full love meter.

Speaking of kids….. here is a Smith kiddo fix! The one of Shipley in time out cracks me up. He was sitting on the stairs while I was reading to Eliza and Slaton and I looked over and that is what I saw. The big eyes just peering at me… so sad… of course I had to laugh!

If you are bored with my kids then hold on tight because I have lots of new sessions to post. This week and next are packed full of newborns and bitty babies. I love it!!!!!

Hugs, Kisses and Happy Valentines Day!